Steelers safety aggravated injury during midweek practice

PITTSBURGH -- Steelers safety Troy Polamalu is likely to
miss Pittsburgh's game Sunday at New England after sitting out
practice for the second day in a row Friday because of a sprained
knee.

Polamalu, who has missed the Steelers' last two games,
aggravated the injury during practice Wednesday and has been unable
to practice since. He is listed as doubtful, meaning he has a 25
percent chance of playing.

Polamalu, a Pro Bowl safety the past three seasons and the team's highest-paid player, injured the knee Nov. 18 against theNew York Jets. He is not having a big year statistically -- he
doesn't have a sack or an interception -- but his versatility is a
key to Pittsburgh's zone blitz defense.

The Steelers almost never allow players to play in a game when they are physically unable to practice on Friday -- one reason why
wide receiver Santonio Holmes struggled through the team's workout
on a sprained right ankle.

Holmes, also out for two games, continues to have pain in the ankle and was urged earlier this week to sit out another game.
Holmes said the game against New England (12-0) is too important to
the Steelers (9-3) to miss and he plans to play.

Holmes has averaged 17 yards per reception on 39 catches. He leads the Steelers with seven touchdown catches.